Are you trying to find a habit to help you start your day on the right foot? Do you wish you had an easier time thinking positively? And do you want some morning affirmations that will make you feel good AND help change your brain? Then check out these morning affirmations to start (or grow) your morning affirmation practice.

Morning affirmations are phrases or statements that we say to ourselves to focus our minds on more positive outcomes. The theory is that repeating positive affirmations can help shift our mindset in ways that help us more easily manifest the life we want, and there is some evidence to support this (Paulhus & Coue, 1993; Critcher, Dunning, & Armor, 2010).

At the most basic level, our brains can learn to think in new ways—a concept known as neuroplasticity (Demarin & Morovic, 2014). And practicing thinking in these new ways—for example when we use affirmations—may be one way to shift our brains to thinking in those new ways. Research on related topics like optimism, positive thinking, and growth mindset further support the idea that shifting our thinking in positive ways is likely good for us, especially since we tend to have a negativity bias—or a tendency to focus more on the negative things. All this is to say that affirmations may be a useful tool—a tool which is probably most effective when combined with other research-based happiness-boosting tools.

How to Do Morning Affirmations

Morning affirmations can be a pretty simple habit to start. Each morning when you wake up just take a few minutes to repeat some phrases. Here some other tips to help you get started:

  • Say your affirmations out loud.
  • ​Use the present tense.
  • Try not to highlight the negative.
  • Find something meaningful.
  • Try to feel the emotions that go along with the words you’re saying.​

Here are a few of my favorite affirmations to get you started. See if any of these resonate with you.

  1. I give myself permission to be myself.
  2. I have the power to change.
  3. I love myself fully.
  4. I deserve peace and joy in my life.
  5. ​I am worthy of love.​
  6. ​I’m doing my best and that is enough.
  7. ​I am good enough.
  8. My future is bright.
  9. I deserve success.​​
  10. I am allowed to take my own path.
  11. I have the freedom to set my own goals.
  12. I am the one who decides what to do with my life.
  13. I can put my energy into the things that matter to me.
  14. I am free to create the life I desire.​
  15. I give myself permission to do what is right for me.
  16. I will give myself the time to grow and learn.
  17. I have the potential to succeed.
  18. ​I am open to opportunities.
  19. ​I am in charge of my life.
  20. ​I get to decide how I define success.
  21. I trust myself and my feelings.
  22. There are things I can do to control my feelings.
  23. My emotions have purpose and value.
  24. I stand up to my negative thoughts.
  25. I have the power to let my anxieties go.
  26. I stay present in the moment.
  27. I am capable of doing anything a man could do.
  28. I am beautiful.​
  29. I accept my body shape and size.
  30. I am grateful to be living in a female body.
  31. I deserve to feel safe and comfortable in my body.
  32. I am smart.
  33. I am confident in my sexuality.
  34. I am grateful for my femininity.
  35. I respect myself.
  36. I feel confident.
  37. I matter.
  38. I like who I am.
  39. I am allowed to feel and express my emotions.
  40. I am powerful.
  41. I am a good person.
  42. I accept my responsibilities.
  43. I use setbacks to make me stronger.
  44. Happiness is a choice, and I choose to be happy.
  45. I like me. I love me.
  46. I am courageous.
  47. I approve of myself.
  48. I am at peace with who I am. ​
  49. I am allowed to take care of myself. ​
  50. I choose to celebrate my good qualities. ​
  51. I grow and improve every day.
  52. I treat myself kindly and with compassion.
  53. My life is full of potential.
  54. ​I forgive those who have hurt me.
  55. Good things are coming my way.
  56. Today is going to be a great day.
  57. I am proud of myself.
  58. I am awesome.

In Sum

Starting a morning affirmation practice can be an easy and fun way to start shifting your mindset. But, it’s important to keep in mind that affirmations take time and that they are not magic—they are not a tool for wishing all your dreams come true. Rather, they are a tool for helping you change the way you think. If we use them wisely, they can help us a great deal.

References

  • Critcher, C. R., Dunning, D., & Armor, D. A. (2010). When self-affirmations reduce defensiveness: Timing is key. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36(7), 947-959.
  • Demarin, V., & Moroic, S. (2014). Neuroplasticity. Periodicum biologorum, 116(2), 209-211.​
  • ​Paulhus, D. L., & COUÉ, E. (1993). Bypassing the will: The automatization of affirmations. JMS, 4, 1.

Kim Perone, MA, CLC is a Wellbeing Coach/Consultant and Mindfulness Facilitator and founder of The Center for Clarity, Compassion & Contentment (CENTER4C). Kim works with organizations and individuals to offer essential skills for today. A personal strategist, philosopher, and champion for her clients, specializing in stress reduction, mindfulness, work life balance, bereavement, resilience, and authentic success, Kim is a Certified Life Coach, with an Master’s degree in Organizational Communication, Certified Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator (CWMF), a Certified Grief Educator, Culture Talk Certified Partner and author of Finding Your Center: The Case for Clarity, Compassion & Contentment (available on Amazon) and podcaster for Find Your Center with Life Coach Kim Perone and co-host of the Slightly Unmeditated podcast available wherever you get your podcasts. It is Kim’s belief that when clarity, compassion, and contentment are present an inspired life is possible. For more information, feel free to contact Kim at [email protected], (518) 301-3593, www.Center4c.com.